‘Not saving Netanyahu, saving hostages’: Gantz pushes for unity gov.
4 Min Read
Israeli figures warn of failure in the war on Gaza, urging a ceasefire and a new government, and caution against the occupation of Gaza as Hamas remains undefeated.
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Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a humanitarian aid convoy on the outskirts of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestine, Saturday, Aug, 23, 2025 (AP)
Israeli political and security figures are warning of a looming failure in the ongoing Gaza war, urging a ceasefire and a captive deal, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes his plan to invade and occupy Gaza City.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid asserted that a ceasefire deal in Gaza is in "Israel's" interest, stating that the war has turned into "an Israeli Afghanistan."
In an interview for "Israel's" Channel 12, Lapid recalled how US forces fled Afghanistan in defeat, stating, "We don't want this to happen to the soldiers of the Israeli army."
The Israeli opposition leader conceded that the Israeli government is failing to defeat the Palestinian Resistance, noting that after a year and ten months, "this government is not succeeding in defeating Hamas."
Gantz calls for a government of 'redeeming the captives'
Benny Gantz, the chairman of the Blue and White - National Unity party, has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, and Yisrael Betyenu chairman Avigdor Liberman to establish what he describes as a "government for redeeming the captives and equality in the burden," which would operate under a clear six-month mandate leading to new elections.
“The hostages are in mortal danger and our brothers are collapsing under the burden,” Gantz stated, adding that “unlike the poison machine, I don’t want to save Netanyahu, but to save the hostages."
This proposal would involve Gantz's party temporarily joining the coalition to concentrate on securing the release of captives held in Gaza and to advance legislation aimed at addressing the issue of ultra-Orthodox enlistment in the military.
‘Won’t take part in any spin': Liberman’s party
MK Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu party responds to Blue and White-National Unity chief Benny Gantz’s call to form a government together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.
“Yisrael Beytenu calls for all the hostages to be returned now, without conditions,” the party says in a statement. “The only government that we will be part of is a wall-to-wall Zionist government, and we won’t take part in any spin.”
'Israel' would pay twice if it occupies Gaza
In a related context, the former head of the National Security Council, Giora Eiland, emphasized to Channel 12 that the pressure is not affecting Hamas, criticizing the idea prevalent in "Israel" that "it is possible to separate Hamas from the population in Gaza," claiming that "Gaza is Hamas and Hamas is Gaza."
Eiland asserted that occupying Gaza with its population hostile to "Israel" and maintaining a long-term presence would make the occupation "pay twice", explaining that such a situation is problematic because "you haven't solved a problem, you've created a problem."
He added that if "Israel" occupies the territory, the world will say, "You are now responsible; you must pay for and care for the population," warning that with a hostile population still present, attacks will inevitably continue.
All of Hamas cannot be killed
Similarly, "Israel's" Channel 13 has called for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza, acknowledging that after two years of fighting, the Hamas movement still has tens of thousands of fighters.
The channel also conceded that Hamas fighters cannot be captured or entirely eliminated, even when such action is demanded, particularly by US President Donald Trump, since they "are not afraid of death."
